Training Camp Break Down for Friday 8-1-14

Offense:

QBs:

Stafford had a pass intended for Tate intercepted by Mathis: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140801/SPORTS0101/308010129/Lions-camp-observation-Defense-brings-heat

It is a real treat to watch Matthew Stafford throw the football. It’s the literal definition of the word awesome.  His tight spiral doesn’t move one iota, it’s an absolute laser. There were two different reps where Dan Orlovsky threw the ball before Stafford and on a 15-yard route Stafford’s ball handily beat Orlovsky’s to the targets. It’s like watching Lebron James run the floor on the fast break or Mark McGwire turning on a flat fastball, something truly rare athletically: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/detroit-lions-training-camp-notes-aug-1st/

Dan Orlovsky led the second team offense to a TD and a FG during the two minute offense. He threw long passes to Fuller and Ross: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140801/SPORTS0101/308010129/Lions-camp-observation-Defense-brings-heat

Kellen Moore didn't look at all like NFL talents. Moore was clearly ahead of Franklin: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/detroit-lions-training-camp-notes-aug-1st/

James Franklin didn't look at all like NFL talents. Moore was clearly ahead of Franklin, and that’s more about how raw, indecisive and “aim-y” Franklin: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/detroit-lions-training-camp-notes-aug-1st/

RBs:

Reggie Bush took reps on punt return: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/CAMP-NOTEBOOK-Swanson-making-the-adjustment-to-guard/f368dce7-c41c-4130-81c2-2decc579801d

Theo Riddick caught two passes from Dan Orlovsky during the two minute drill: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_22.html

Steve Miller took reps on punt return: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/CAMP-NOTEBOOK-Swanson-making-the-adjustment-to-guard/f368dce7-c41c-4130-81c2-2decc579801d

WRs:

Calvin Johnson made two exceptional catches Friday to show why he is the top receiver in the game. He grabbed a touchdown in 7-on-7 after the play was whistled dead, but the way he plucked it was exceptional. There was another play in which a Stafford pass looked like it was headed nowhere, then Johnson came out of his break, dove perfectly on the low ball and caught the ball in front of Chris Greenwood in 11-on-11. It was one of those plays that no defensive back can do anything about. And that has nothing to do with Greenwood, as other cornerbacks will attest to: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/9494/lions-camp-report-day-5

Calvin Johnson beat Darius Slay on an in-route to start the period then torched him deep for an easy touchdown when they were matched up a second time in one on one drills: http://www.freep.com/article/20140801/SPORTS01/308010197/detroit-lions-training-camp-observations

Tate had a pass thrown by Stafford intercepted by Mathis: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140801/SPORTS0101/308010129/Lions-camp-observation-Defense-brings-heat

Jeremy Ross made a nice double move on Orlovsky’s touchdown throw in 2-minute to beat Don Carey deep. Ross probably won’t have a huge role on offense this year, but he’s capable of making plays when he gets on the field: http://www.freep.com/article/20140801/SPORTS01/308010197/detroit-lions-training-camp-observations

Jeremy Ross took reps on punt return: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/CAMP-NOTEBOOK-Swanson-making-the-adjustment-to-guard/f368dce7-c41c-4130-81c2-2decc579801d

Ryan Broyles took reps on punt return: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/CAMP-NOTEBOOK-Swanson-making-the-adjustment-to-guard/f368dce7-c41c-4130-81c2-2decc579801d

Wide receiver Kevin Ogletree continued to impress, burning Bill Bentley on a stop-and-go route for an easy one-on-one touchdown: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140801/SPORTS0101/308010129/Lions-camp-observation-Defense-brings-heat

Corey Fuller is starting to catch some notice as well among wide receivers. He caught a long pass in the two-minute drill from Dan Orlovsky after easily beating Greenwood. He also had nice catches during the receiver-vs.-defensive back session on both Nevin Lawson and Cassius Vaughn. He is a much more confident player than he was a season ago and looks like a completely different one -– an assessment he said he agreed with following practice: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/9494/lions-camp-report-day-5

Quinton Payton looked like Dorin Dickerson in a different number. He’s a widebody for a WR with some build-up speed. A little birdie told me his time in Detroit will be short, but it’s easy to see the physical intrigue with him. Calling my shot: I bet he winds up a Green Bay Packer at some point: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/detroit-lions-training-camp-notes-aug-1st/

TEs:

Brandon Pettigrew has looked good to start camp. He put one on the ground the first day, but has shown consistent hands since that drop. He made several difficult catches in traffic on Friday, including a couple in the two-minute drill: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_22.html

Ebron had another drop. It’s worth pointing out that it came quickly after he had been working with the blockers, something some savvy readers have noted on other days too. He also telegraphed a route and got lucky that Mohammed Seisay dropped the INT. Other than that, and yes there was a lot more of him, Ebron looked fine. It’s just that the negative plays tend to be very dramatic with him: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/detroit-lions-training-camp-notes-aug-1st/

Eric Ebron had a little trouble shaking defenders during one-on-ones, having passes knocked away by cornerbacks Cassius Vaughn and Mohammed Seisay: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_22.html

Tight end Joseph Fauria has had a really impressive camp catching the ball, and even though he had a drop Friday, he had a highlight when he got behind rookie cornerback Nevin Lawson on a stop-and-go route: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140801/SPORTS0101/308010129/Lions-camp-observation-Defense-brings-heat

Joseph Fauria caught a pass from Dan Orlovsky during the two minute drill: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_22.html

O-line:

Waddle played both RT and LT and I’ll once again insist his brighter future is on the left side. He’s very good at shifting his weight and mirroring speed guys, which are more often coming on that side. As Reid proved once, and so did Devin Taylor, he can be bulled with a quick power rush. Nobody got a sniff trying to go around him, though he did badly hold Andre Fluellen (!!) once. He did get bulled backwards on one rep by Reid: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/detroit-lions-training-camp-notes-aug-1st/

Corey Hilliard got flummoxed by Darryl Tapp with a jab step move and motored inside him for an easy backfield pressure. Hilliard ran with the 1s at right tackle. After practice he was working on running 5-10-5 drills on the far field, like he was trying to loosen up a groin or something: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/detroit-lions-training-camp-notes-aug-1st/

Swanson has been making the adjustment to guard. Swanson has gotten some first-team reps at left guard in camp because Rob Sims has been limited and is currently holding down the backup center spot: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/CAMP-NOTEBOOK-Swanson-making-the-adjustment-to-guard/f368dce7-c41c-4130-81c2-2decc579801d

Defense:

DTs:

Ndamukong Suh and defensive end George Johnson both applied heavy pressure on quarterback Matthew Stafford, forcing the first-team offense to fail to score in two simulated game situations: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140801/SPORTS0101/308010129/Lions-camp-observation-Defense-brings-heat

Nick Fairley beat the much faster George Johnson in a two-man sled drill: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/CAMP-NOTEBOOK-Swanson-making-the-adjustment-to-guard/f368dce7-c41c-4130-81c2-2decc579801d

According to Mayhew, Fairley has had a good offseason so far. He’s been healthy, he’s been engaged, he’s been in the weight room, doing things that we’ve asked him to do. So Mayhew's been happy with what he’s done to date.: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/CAMP-NOTEBOOK-Swanson-making-the-adjustment-to-guard/f368dce7-c41c-4130-81c2-2decc579801d

George Johnson got beat by Fairley in a two-man sled drill: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/CAMP-NOTEBOOK-Swanson-making-the-adjustment-to-guard/f368dce7-c41c-4130-81c2-2decc579801d

DEs:

Caraun Reid quickly got into LaAdrian Waddle’s pads and bulled him backwards on one rep, lined up at RDE. On his next two reps, however, Reid was rather easily erased: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/detroit-lions-training-camp-notes-aug-1st/

George Johnson sacked Stafford during the two minute drills: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/9494/lions-camp-report-day-5

Darryl Tapp sacked Stafford during the two minute drills: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/9494/lions-camp-report-day-5

Darryl Tapp flummoxed Corey Hilliard with a jab step move and motored inside him for an easy backfield pressure. Later, Tapp quickly read a swing pass and swatted it down. He lined up at open end every rep I saw him: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/detroit-lions-training-camp-notes-aug-1st/

LBs:

Kyle Van Noy stayed with the defensive linemen to work on pass rush moves while the rest of the linebackers stayed together after the defense started practice by rotating position groups through different coaches: http://www.freep.com/article/20140801/SPORTS01/308010197/detroit-lions-training-camp-observations

Kyle Van Noy lined up in nickel over the slot twice, once vs. Ebron and once vs. Tate. Neither went well for the rookie: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/detroit-lions-training-camp-notes-aug-1st/

CBs:

Rashean Mathis had an outstanding interception in one-on-one drills. Matched up against Golden Tate, the receiver did everything he could to shake the corner before taking his route deep down the sideline, but Mathis stuck in his pocket, got inside position and came down with the pick: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_22.html

Slay got beat by Calvin Johnson on an in route in their first match up and then got torched by CJ for an easy TD on their second matchup. Slay did have a nice pass deflection in the middle of the period when he ran shoulder to shoulder with Wiggins, but he’ll see more players like Calvin and less like Wiggins when he’s starting in the Lions’ secondary this fall: http://www.freep.com/article/20140801/SPORTS01/308010197/detroit-lions-training-camp-observations

Darius Slay continued to have a strong camp, including a good pass breakup in the one-on-one session: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/9494/lions-camp-report-day-5

Bentley got burned by Ogletree on stop and go route. Ogletree easily got a TD: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140801/SPORTS0101/308010129/Lions-camp-observation-Defense-brings-heat

Cassie Vaughn gave up a nice catch to Corey Fuller: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/9494/lions-camp-report-day-5

Chris Greenwood got beat by Corey Fuller on the sideline for a huge gain during the two minute drill: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_22.html

Mohammed Seisay was one of the defenders who stood out. He read a pass to tight end Eric Ebron perfectly during one-on-ones and broke the play up well. He is still a long shot to make the roster: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/9494/lions-camp-report-day-5

Mohammed Seisay was able to telegraph an Ebron, but dropped an interception: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/detroit-lions-training-camp-notes-aug-1st/

Mohammed Seisay knocked away a pass intended for Tate: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_22.html

Nevin Lawson, who had penalty problems in college, was called for pass interference against Fuller on a sideline pass that Fuller still caught: http://www.freep.com/article/20140801/SPORTS01/308010197/detroit-lions-training-camp-observations

Lawson got badly burned by Fauria: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_22.html

Safeties:

Glover Quin made a nice play on a ball thrown by Stafford to swat it away on third down during the two minute drill: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/CAMP-NOTEBOOK-Swanson-making-the-adjustment-to-guard/f368dce7-c41c-4130-81c2-2decc579801d

Don Carey got beat by Ross on a double move for a TD during the two minute drill: http://www.freep.com/article/20140801/SPORTS01/308010197/detroit-lions-training-camp-observations

Special Teams:

Kickers:

Nate Freese went 5-for-5 on FGs with a long of 53 yards: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140801/SPORTS0101/308010129/Lions-camp-observation-Defense-brings-heat

Giorgio Tavecchio went 6-for-6 with a long of 53. Tavecchio’s sixth kick, a 41-yarder, came after the second-team offense got into field-goal range on a 2-minute drive: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140801/SPORTS0101/308010129/Lions-camp-observation-Defense-brings-heat

Punters:

Sam Martin has nothing to worry about. He was consistently more precise and deeper in the punt drills, and during the time-kill drill (running around in the end zone to kill time before taking a safety) Martin burned 18 seconds: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/detroit-lions-training-camp-notes-aug-1st/

Butler got surprised by a rusher (Greenwood?) and would have been quickly thumped, leaving open the potential of a fumble: http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/2014/08/detroit-lions-training-camp-notes-aug-1st/

Injuries:

Defensive end Ziggy Ansah (shoulder), wide receiver TJ Jones (shoulder), offensive tackle Michael Williams (unspecified) and offensive guard Alex Bullard (unspecified) all remained out: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140801/SPORTS0101/308010129/Lions-camp-observation-Defense-brings-heat

Rob Sims was limited during camp: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/CAMP-NOTEBOOK-Swanson-making-the-adjustment-to-guard/f368dce7-c41c-4130-81c2-2decc579801d

Kris Durham limped off the field after getting tangled up with safety DeJon Gomes, but the receiver walked off the lower leg injury and didn't miss a rep: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_22.html